Marquette University Guiding Values FAQ

What is the purpose of the guiding values?

The university’s guiding values make explicit the values and behaviors expected of faculty, staff and students, which have been at the core of the Marquette community for the past 133 years. The guiding values are derived from Marquette’s mission and vision, and are meant to:

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to live in a way that embodies the guiding values, which represent both current realities and aspirations for university life.

Where did the guiding values come from?

The majority of the guiding values explicitly state what is already implicit in our culture. At a leadership retreat in August 2014, the deans and vice presidents worked together to codify the guiding values in an explicit list. There is an element of aspiration in any organization’s set of values, generally to link to the aspirational components of the strategic plan (e.g. innovations and partnerships). The guiding values are derived from Marquette’s mission and vision and make explicit the values and behaviors expected of faculty, staff and students, which have been at the core of Marquette University for the past 133 years.

Why were the guiding values created?

Explicitly stating the university’s guiding values reinforces the high standards of behavior that the Marquette community is expected to uphold; serves as a roadmap for making tough choices between competing priorities; improves accountability and respect between faculty, staff, students and the greater community; and aids recruiting and onboarding of new employees.

Was the campus community asked for input?

The guiding values were shared broadly with faculty, staff and students through a variety of communication channels (letters from the president, News Briefs, Marquette Matters, an updated website, etc.) and there was an online feedback form for individuals to share their feedback and endorsement.

What is the difference between an organization’s mission, vision and values?

An organization’s mission articulates its purpose, why it exists. The vision is how an organization seeks to deliver on its mission. The guiding values are those characteristics that we commit to as individuals and as an organization so we develop a culture that achieves our mission. The guiding values are a way that we deliver on our mission and execute our vision; they do not replace the four pillars of the university mission.

How do the guiding values align with the university-wide strategic plan, Beyond Boundaries?

The campus community will utilize the guiding values to identify priorities and make decisions about implementation of the strategic plan. While new strategic plans are prepared periodically, guiding values, the culture we promote and the way we act are enduring.